Foreign Artist Visa & Tax News

October 13, 2017

Orchestras that engage foreign guest artists should note an important change that may affect where to send visa petitions. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that effective October 12, 2017, regardless where temporary work in the U.S. will take place, petitions should be filed based on the primary company/organizational location of the petitioner. This applies to single employer and multiple-employer petitions. If an orchestra utilizes another entity to serve as its petitioner (e.g. a law firm, artist management agency, another orchestra, etc.), that official petitioner's location determines whether to file in California or Vermont. Please refer to our updated Service Center Tips for a complete list of which states correspond to which service center (and note that Texas petitioners now file with the California Service Center!), as well as which addresses to use.

To recap, for all O and P petitions, the primary location of the petitioner's company or organization will determine whether I-129 materials are sent to California or Vermont Service Center, and Texas-based petitioners are now in the California Service Center jurisdiction. Petitioners have until November 11, 2017 to adjust to these changes; from that date onward, USCIS may reject Form I-129s that are filed at the wrong service center. The League is standing by to help orchestras with the visa process. Please send any questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Closures affect Cuba, Russia, and Turkey

Foreign guest artists located in Cuba, Russia, and Turkey will need to make alternate arrangements to receive a U.S. visa following a series of consular closures.

In late August, all nonimmigrant visa operations across Russia were suspended. Although visa operations were to have resumed in Moscow on September 1, some petitioners have reported artists have been unable to secure timely appointments.

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of nonemergency U.S. government employees in Cuba, suspending most visa processing in Havana and providing only emergency services to U.S. citizens.

Earlier this week, all non-immigrant visa services were suspended at all U.S. diplomatic facilities in Turkey.

Any artists in these countries that need to seek a visa are advised to apply for a visa at another visa-issuing U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Cuba, Russia, and Turkey.

September 27, 2017

Newest Travel Restrictions Start October 18

Less than two weeks before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear oral arguments on challenges to a March 6 Executive Order banning travel by citizens of six Muslim-majority countries, the Trump Administration issued a Presidential Proclamation setting in place new travel restrictions for citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela. The limitations vary by country, and some case-by-case waivers may apply. Beginning October 18, these new rules will take effect for an indefinite period of time, although the United States will consider lifting restrictions on countries that meet new minimum security screening standards.

Last week, the League issued a statement calling for public policies that promotes global expression and creativity, and outlining ongoing League action that supports the ability of artists to cross international borders.

The Supreme Court has canceled its October 10 plans to hear oral arguments on the March 6 Executive Order, and is weighing whether the court will still take up the case. Meanwhile, it is also possible that the lower courts will begin review of the new September 24 Presidential Proclamation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has posted a Fact Sheet and FAQ webpage that provides initial details about the specific restrictions and potential waivers. As further news and information becomes available, the League is posting specific information about the Proclamation’s impact on the issuance of O and P artist visas on artistsfromabroad.org.

September 19, 2017

This month and next, America's orchestras are beginning new concert seasons that present music, ideas, and traditions from across the globe. In communities large and small, creative partnerships and collaborations across borders will make possible a new year of performances by more than 1,600 orchestras that will reach nearly 25 million people in the United States.

Orchestras of all kinds—from youth orchestras to community orchestras to big-city orchestras—are partnering with schools to expand opportunities for learning for an increasingly diverse student population, programming innovative concerts that celebrate both established and emerging immigrant communities, and readying for a new wave of international tours.

As the Supreme Court begins deliberations on October 10 on the Executive Order issued in March 2017 banning travel from six countries, the League of American Orchestras stands by our statementcalling for policies that fully support engagement with a diversity of ideas. We also continue to advance a policy request for the Department of Homeland Security to ensure access to artist visas for artists from all counties of origin, and we are in dialogue with partners across the creative community and in museums who are calling for the Court's full consideration of the ban's impact on free expression.

The League also continues efforts to strengthen the U.S. artist visa process and to make it more reliable, affordable, and predicable. On September 15, the League traveled to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services visa processing center to speak directly with service center and agency personnel about barriers to accessing the visas needed for guest artists who perform alongside U.S. musicians. These difficulties are well-known to us as the League provides frequent, direct assistance to orchestras navigating this process. The League also keeps up with changes to visa policies, helping us to provide the most comprehensive resource on the artist visa and tax requirements: ArtistsfromAbroad.org.

And, in support of both visiting musicians and U.S. orchestras touring across the globe, we're speaking up on both the domestic and international policy fronts to ensure that new and important policies that protect endangered species do not unintentionally prevent musicians from crossing borders with their best musical instruments.

The League of American Orchestras is committed to this work because everything orchestras do to celebrate and explore diverse perspectives depends upon supportive public policies that serve to facilitate, rather than inhibit, expression and creativity. This work is also integral to the League's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy.

As a new season of music-making begins, we stand ready to serve our members and remain a part of policy dialogues that facilitate vibrant artistry, both within the U.S., and internationally.

July 13, 2017

Travel restrictions partially reinstated by Supreme Court

On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the injunction on the March 6 executive order, allowing for the reinstatement of travel restrictions, with certain limits. Travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen intending to enter the United States with a "bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States" cannot be barred from entry, however, and this appears to apply to artists using O and P visas.

As the Court's decision articulates, individuals accepting a job offer from an American company may be considered to have a "bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States" and, thus, not be subject to the travel restrictions. An FAQ accompanying a Department of State announcement specifies that nonimmigrant visas, such as the O and P visas used by artists, are inherently exempt from the restrictions of the executive order.

March 31, 2017

Artist visa update: League leads policy statement and guidance

The League and a growing number of national arts organizations have signed an arts statement in response to the President's March immigration executive order. The statement urges policy leaders to retain access to artist visas and support opportunities for worldwide cultural exchange during ongoing consideration of new immigration policies. The White House has revoked its initial executive order that was announced in late January and issued a new executive order that would have the effect of imposing new limits on travel to the United States, beginning on March 16, for certain foreign nationals from Sudan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. As judicial action in response to the order continues, and as the Administration considers next steps, you can find up-to-date information on Artists from Abroad, a website that the League manages and which provides guidance for engaging foreign guest artists for performances in the U.S.

February 17, 2017

New Visa Enforcement Actions Anticipated

Artists Visas: The League has partnered with 20 other national arts organizations on a joint statement that urges policy leaders to retain access to artist visas and support opportunities for worldwide cultural exchange as the Department of Homeland Security takes next steps in its review of national security measures. President Trump announced yesterday that a new executive order on immigration policy will be issued within days, following court action that suspended implementation of his prior executive order. The League provides up-to-the minute guidance for navigating all changes to the artist visa process on our dedicated website, www.artistsfromabroad.org, to help orchestras ensure that they can continue to engage international guest artists for performances.

January 30, 2017

League Statement on Travel Ban Executive Order

The music that orchestras play and the communities they serve are global and include people and cultures from the seven countries that are now subject to the travel ban issued by executive order on January 27. We firmly believe that concerns related to national security can be addressed while also continuing to welcome people beyond our borders.

The League of American Orchestras believes in the power of music to communicate across differences, express and animate the issues of our time, and advance international diplomacy and our democracy. With each concert U.S. orchestras perform here and abroad, as many as 100 musicians from diverse traditions, faiths, and political perspectives play in unison in the shared pursuit of artistic expression.

Musicians don’t just play, they listen with purpose. In a time of unprecedented divisions in our country, intentionally listening to the full spectrum of voices is key to our nation’s progress.

Democracy, like music, flourishes when we encourage, acknowledge, and respectfully engage with a diversity of ideas.

The League of American Orchestras’ website dedicated to facilitating international cultural activity by artists of all genres, ArtistsfromAbroad.org, contains comprehensive information about the artist visa process, including ongoing updates related to the January 27 executive order’s restrictions on guest artists from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

October 24, 2016

Prepare for visa fee increase!

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a substantial increase in I-129 filing fees, effective for petitions postmarked on or after December 23, 2016. The Premium Processing fee remains $1,225. The following fees will increase:

The fee for the regular I-129 petition for a nonimmigrant worker will increase from $325 to $460.

The fee for the I-539 petition to extend/change status (used for spouses and dependents) will increase from $290 to $370.

The fee for the I-824 petition for action on an approved application or petition (usually used to request a duplicate I-797 notice of approval) will increase from $405 to $465.

On July 6, the League led a coalition submission of formal comments to USCIS raising serious concerns about the disproportionate increase of 42% in the fee increase for filing I-129 petitions, compared to the weighted average increase of 21% that USCIS is applying to other fees. This increase adds a significant burden to nonprofit arts petitioners considering the serious and persisting delays in visa processing that have already been creating a harmful impact for more than a year. Our comments urged USCIS to ensure that any fee increase be accompanied not merely by a maintenance of service, but by significant policy improvements. When the increase goes into effect on December 23, 2016, petitioners should keep a close eye on the timing and quality of visa processing, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
so we can press USCIS headquarters to demonstrate measurable progress.

To avoid delays in processing, please note the fee change and plan accordingly. All petitions postmarked on or after December 23, 2016 should include the new fee of $460. Do not submit the higher fee any earlier than this date.

September 21, 2016

Visa reminder: file early!

Orchestras that engage foreign guest artists are reminded to file visa petitions carefully and early. Delays continue to persist at the Vermont Service Center, and petitioners experiencing significant delays at either service center may wish to request a traditional expedite. If USCIS does not choose to grant the traditional expedite free of charge, it may be necessary to upgrade to Premium Processing Service. Keep an eye on your case status, and feel free to contact the League with any questions at any point in your visa petition process

July 6, 2016 (This is an update to our originally posted item from June 28, 2016)

O and P Visa Fee Increase Ahead: Urge USCIS to Make Improvements Now!

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed making it more costly to apply for the required visas for foreign guest artists, and is inviting public comments on its plans to increase the filing fee for an I-129 petition for an O or P artist visa from $325 to $460 – a 42% increase. The Premium Processing Service fee would remain at the current rate of $1,225 – still out of reach for most nonprofit arts organizations. The date for implementing the proposed fee increase has not yet been set.

The League has submitted comments on behalf of orchestras in partnership with a national nonprofit performance arts coalition. We also invite our members to weigh in as well. USCIS is accepting public comment on their fee proposal via the Federal Register through July 6, 2016. To learn more, please visit our special online campaign that lists the improvements we are seeking and provides an easy way for you to participate in this public comment process.

February 8, 2016

Artist visa bill introduced in U.S. Senate!

Today brings important policy news for orchestras that engage artists from across the globe to partner with U.S. musicians in concerts, education programs, and the development of new artistic works. Legislation to make the artist visa process more reliable and affordable was introduced in the U.S. Senate today by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) Act, S. 2510, would improve opportunities for international cultural activity by ensuring that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes artist visas on time.

Orchestras and other nonprofit performing arts organizations must apply for an O or P visa when engaging international artists for performances. While USCIS pledged in 2010 to process these visas within the timeframe required under current law, applications for artists undergo long delays and extreme inconsistency by USCIS, often forcing nonprofit U.S. arts organizations to pay for unaffordable expedited processing, or risk cancelling scheduled performers. Under the ARTS Act, USCIS would be required to provide expedited processing free-of-charge if a visa petition filed by, or on behalf of, a U.S. nonprofit arts organization is not processed on time.

We are grateful for the continued support and leadership of Sens. Hatch and Leahy, who said the following upon the bill's introduction:

"All Americans benefit from greater access to the world's best performers and artists. However, because of unreliable visa processing delays, many of our nonprofit arts organizations risk financial harm if they are unable to present artists as planned," said Senator Hatch. "This bill is a commonsense effort to simplify that process and I hope that it will move quickly to the President's desk."

"Organizations such as the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Performance Lab, and Burlington City Arts enrich our state's dynamic culture, are integral to our economy, and ensure that all communities benefit from the remarkable power of the arts," Senator Leahy said. "The ARTS Act acknowledges the unique challenges that nonprofit arts organizations confront with our visa system and would assist them in their effort to bring international arts and culture to our communities."

The League is a lead partner with the Performing Arts Alliance, American Federation of Musicians, The Recording Academy, and an array of other national organizations calling on USCIS to take immediate action to improve the artist visa process. You can make a difference by asking your Senator to sign up to co-sponsor the ARTS Act!

December 16, 2015

Visa petitioners: be aware of delays and extra security measures

Orchestras that engage foreign guest artists should be aware of substantial processing delays at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) service centers. This might force some orchestra to consider paying for the Premium Processing Service (PPS) to ensure an artist's arrival in time for performances. Also, enhanced security measures make it advisable for petitioners to take extra steps to make certain artists are prepared for Customs and Border Protection processing on arrival in the U.S. The League provides visa and tax assistance relating to foreign guest artists throughout the year and continues to work in Washington to improve artist visa policies. Please consult our website, artistsfromabroad.org, for up-to-date guidance and be in touch with the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
with any questions.

December 15, 2014

USCIS launched a new version of the I-129 Form at the end of October, 2014. The changes are fairly minor, but petitioners will notice a new layout and slight re-organization. The Part 9 Explanation page is formatted differently as well, and it should be noted that the O & P Supplement is now three pages, instead of two. Please see updated guidance for completing the new I-129 as well as updated sample petitions posted on Artists from Abroad. USCIS will accept editions of the I-129 dated 10/07/11, 01/19/11, and 11/23/10 (you’ll find this in the bottom left corner of the form) until April 30, 2015. After that time, USCIS will only accept the new 10/23/14 edition.

May 1, 2015 – Petitions received by USCIS on or after this date must include new Form I-129. To be on the safe side, plan to use the new version of the form well in advance of this date.

February 19, 2014

Urgent Artist Visa Update!

Visa-related guest artist cancellations can have a huge reputational and financial impact on nonprofit arts organizations, damage international cultural relations, and deprive audiences of extraordinary performances. If your orchestra engages international artists, please take note of the following urgent information about the U.S. visa process!

The League has received reports of a recent wave of unexpected processing delays, requests for additional evidence, and even denials for O and P artist visas. While the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website continues to list an average timeframe of 14 days for regular processing, the system is actually taking significantly longer for many petitioners. Do not rely on the projected processing times listed on the USCIS website! File your petitions as early as possible, and take these steps:

2. Contact the League for assistance in navigating the visa process. We are here to help members orchestras with their questions and can walk you through the many layers of the petition process.

3. Complain to us. Really. Please tell us where you are encountering problems with the U.S. visa system. The League is working in collaboration with the broader performing arts community to seek policy changes that improve the artist visa process. If your orchestra encounters a problem after submitting a petition in a timely and complete manner, we would like to bring your story forward as an illustration of the policy improvements needed.

While processing times for artist visas improved significantly following a promise by USCIS in 2010, the timeframe is still highly unpredictable, and the process for determining whether artist visa petitions meet the standard for approval is inconsistent.

Advance planning can mean the difference between the show going on – or getting cancelled. Again, plan to file your petitions as early as possible in order to absorb any unexpected delays in processing or to respond to a USCIS request for additional evidence, and be sure to give your petition a close look for errors or omissions before filing!

October 30, 2013

USCIS Launches Website Improvements

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today launched a redesigned website available in both English and Spanish. The website upgrades seek to provide customers with a simplified and user-friendly experience thanks to improved navigation menus, a tools section that helps customers complete certain electronic transactions, and a home page with a banner that rotates time-sensitive information and alerts as well as a larger search bar. Visa petitioners familiar with the layout of the previous home page may wish to note that the link to check on a case status has moved from the upper left corner to a more prominent position below the rotating banner.

October 17, 2013

Happy Birthday to Artists from Abroad! Ten years ago, the League’s Artists from Abroad resource was re-launched as a website, continuously updated with the latest tips for navigating the visa and tax requirements for international guest artists. In the past year alone, visitors have come to the website from more than 150 countries, and the site is used by U.S. organizations nationwide to support international cultural activity. Does your orchestra engage international artists? If so, visit artistsfromabroad.org, and also remember that your League membership includes one-on-one visa assistance from the League’s Washington, D.C. office, where we can answer questions about the latest policy changes, forms, fees, and provide helpful tips and support for engaging international guest artists for performances in the United States. Bookmark the site and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
with any related questions!

October 1, 2013

Impact: From Showdown to Shutdown

In what has felt like an extended game of high-stakes chicken, the Senate and the House of Representatives have failed to fund the federal government, resulting in a long-feared shutdown beginning today – the first since 1996. Congress must break the stalemate as quickly as possible in order to minimize the fall-out. If the shutdown is brief, here’s what to expect:

Visas for Foreign Guest Artists: If you are in the process of obtaining a visa for a foreign artist, plan for possible delays during the government shutdown. Obtaining a visa is a three part process, starting with approval of a petition by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), followed by processing of a visa application by the State Department at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, and completed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, on inspection and admission to the U.S.

USCIS and Petitions: On the plus side, because USCIS is a fee-based agency that, for the most part, does not depend on Congressional appropriations, USCIS has resources to continue processing visa petitions. However, given the strain of the government shutdown on overall infrastructure, delays are a real possibility.

State Department and Visa Processing: Again, the good news is that consular visa processing, too, is supported by fees, not appropriations. Many consular offices thus will continue conducting interviews and issuing visas, so long as their buildings can remain open. The longer the shutdown persists, the more likely it is that consular services will become unavailable. Visit the web site for a specific consulate to determine whether the location is in operation. One major unknown is the fate of any visa applications that might be delayed by "additional administrative processing," meaning security-related concerns. A number of other U.S. agencies are involved in the clearance process and their ability to continue visa-related clearance operations is unclear.

Arrival in the U.S.: Customs and Border Protection officials are considered “essential” personnel. Entry to the U.S. for visa holders should not be interrupted.

This is what we know as of today, and we will keep you posted as more information becomes available. The big takeaway when it comes to visas is (as always) – leave as much time as possible for the visa process to be completed. The longer the government shutdown remains in place, the more likely the process is to be delayed and disrupted.

June 25, 2013

Artist Visa Improvements Advance in Senate

Improvements to the U.S. visa process for international guest artists are now included in the comprehensive immigration reform package under consideration in the U.S. Senate! The Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) provision, which will require U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure timely processing for visa petitions filed by, or on behalf of, nonprofit arts-related organizations, was originally introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) just over one week ago. Last night, the provision was wrapped into a broader package of amendments to the comprehensive immigration reform bill under Senate consideration.

American nonprofit arts organizations and artists – in communities large and small across our country – provide an important public service and boost international diplomacy by presenting foreign guest artists in performances and educational events. Only with consistent improvements over time, will confidence in the U.S. visa process continue to be re-built among U.S. organizations and foreign artists alike, greatly enhancing international cultural exchange.

How would it work? The Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) provision has had strong bipartisan support in Congress and would improve the reliability of the visa process by reducing total maximum processing times for O and P nonprofit arts-related visa petitions to under 30 days. Currently, USCIS provides Premium Processing within 15 calendar days for petitioners able to pay an extra $1,250 fee – which is unaffordable for most arts organizations. Under the ARTS Act, USCIS would be required to treat as a Premium Processing case, free of additional charge, any arts-related O and P visa petition that it fails to process within the 14 days required in current law.

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy! Since 2001, orchestras, the League, and our arts colleagues have urged Congress and USCIS to remove barriers to international cultural engagement by improving the historically burdensome and unpredictable O and P artist visa process. We are now working to ensure that the recent incremental improvements to the artist visa process are locked into law so that confidence in the U.S. artist visa process can be restored. Our policy work is carried out in coordination with the Performing Arts Visa Working Group, which includes the American Federation of Musicians, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, League of American Orchestras, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, OPERA America, Performing Arts Alliance, Theatre Communications Group, and our partners at The Recording Academy. As the Senate began debate of comprehensive immigration reform, the League initiated a coordinated effort by a broad array of national arts organizations supporting improvements to the visa process.

Next steps: We are especially grateful to the many orchestra advocates who contacted key Senate offices in the past week to describe how improvements to the artist visa process will support access to international artistry both in the U.S. and abroad. Action on comprehensive immigration reform provides the opportunity to make enduring policy changes to ensure that the U.S. visa process for artists is reliable, efficient, and affordable. The Senate plans to complete action on its immigration bill by the end of this week, while House consideration begins to move forward. We will keep you informed of ongoing advocacy opportunities. In the meantime, visit our advocacy center to learn more.

April 12, 2013

Proof of Visa Goes Paperless

The paper card issued to foreign working artists upon arrival to the U.S. is going electronic. U.S. Customs and Border protection has announced that, beginning April 30 and throughout mid-May, issuance of paper I-94 cards will be phased out at U.S. airports and verification of an individual’s visa status and the length of the approved stay will be accessible online at www.cbp.gov/I94. The new site will be up and running on April 30. While information about a visitor’s visa classification will be stamped into his/her passport and be accessible electronically, the I-94 remains the most important form of legal documentation for visa holders upon arrival in the U.S. We advise printing a hard copy. Learn more about this new development on ArtistsfromAbroad.org.

March 12, 2013

Sequestration and the Arts

What do the messy debates in Washington over spending limits and across-the-board 5% cuts to domestic spending mean for your orchestra?

If your orchestra engages international artists – as ever, start the visa process as early as possible to brace for any staffing impact that might be felt in visa processing centers here in the U.S. and at consulates abroad. Remember to consult www.artistsfromabroad.org and League staff for any help you might need with the visa process.

February 12, 2013

League Comments on O Visa Response Template

The League joined the AFM and a range of other national performing arts organizations in submitting comments to USCIS on behalf of the performing arts community. The USCIS is revising the form it uses when asking visa petitioners to provide more information to support an O visa application. USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) when a petition is incomplete. We are urging USCIS to ensure that the response it gives to petitioners in the RFE is clear, concise, and is consistent with the information USCIS provides petitioners as they prepare to submit their initial petition, so that petitioners can readily reply to the RFE and keep their petition moving through the review process without unnecessary delay.

October 4, 2012

Immigration Officials in Dialogue with the League’s Heather Noonan

Personnel from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted a rare interview with Heather Noonan, the League’s vice president for advocacy, answering policy questions and sharing their observations about the visa petition process. Claire Nicholson and Christopher Bentley of USCIS headquarters shared their advice and observations in the interview, transcribed and posted online by Musical America as: A Conversation with USCIS. For complete guidance when engaging foreign guest artists, orchestras are reminded to visit our specialize site: www.artistsfromabroad.org.

August 9, 2012

New P-1B Policy for Individuals

A foreign individual performing as a member of a U.S.-based group is eligible to apply for a P-1B visa, according to a December 31, 2011 memo issued by USCIS. Previously, the P-1B classification was exclusively available to foreign-based groups of performers. This development provides an opportunity for individuals to apply for a visa based on the reputation of the U.S.-based group with which the performances will take place. Please note, however, that individuals coming to the United States on a P-1B visa will only be authorized for work that takes place as a member of the U.S.-based group. For individual artists planning an itinerary of activities that includes performances as a member of a group, plus solo or other endeavors, the O-1B will be the appropriate visa classification. While the memo is dated December 2011, USCIS has yet to publicly post or proactively announce the policy change. Nonetheless, the Vermont and California visa processing centers are implementing the new policy. See the P1-B page on Artists from Abroad for more details.

July 18, 2012

In conjunction with the League’s relaunch of the improved Artists from Abroad website, we’re offering a free webinar with the site’s primary authors, immigration and tax experts Jonathan Ginsburg and Robyn Guilliams. The one-hour webinar walks you through the new features of the site while Jonathan and Robyn share their top tips for approaching the visa and tax procedures. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the newly revised site or how to engage foreign guest artists, this webinar is a great introduction. Remember also that the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
stands ready to assist member orchestras with foreign artist visa and tax questions. Register to receive the free webinar on demand from the artistsfromabroad.org home page today!

July 9, 2012

If your orchestra engages foreign guest artists, please take note of the following development that will impact artists’ ability to file the required U.S. tax return. Through the remainder of 2012, new requirements are in place for documentation accompanying requests for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN). These documents will now require much more time to assemble, and the IRS plans to announce further changes to the ITIN process to take effect in 2013. Read more about the process for obtaining an ITIN on the Artists from Abroad website. Our newly re-designed site also now includes an RSS feed. Sign up today to get the latest news items delivered directly to your inbox!

May 23, 2012

Grand Re-Opening: Artists from Abroad Relaunches Today!

Washington, D.C. - The League of American Orchestras and Association of Performing Arts Presenters are pleased to announce the relaunch of Artists from Abroad -- the most complete and up-to-date online resource for engaging foreign guest artists, providing essential guidance, forms, and useful links. The newly redesigned and relaunched website makes it even easier to find the information performing arts organizations and artist managers need to successfully navigate the U.S. visa and tax procedures required when engaging international artists for performances in the U.S. The new site includes:

December 17, 2010

Remember New Visa Fees and Form!

Orchestras that engage international guest artists take note! On November 23, the fee for regularly-filed O & P visa petitions increased to $325 and the Premium Processing Service fee increased to $1,225. All petitions must be submitted with the proper fee as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will return any petitions filed with insufficient fees.

USCIS has also released a new version of the I-129 Form, which is used to apply for artist visas. December 21, 2010 is the last day for postmarking to USCIS the previous edition of the Form I-129. Petitions postmarked to USCIS on or after December 22, 2010 must include new Form I-129. Please visit the Artists from Abroad website for updated guidance on completing the new Form I-129 and continue to check the site for continuous updates.

October 5, 2010

Orchestras engaging international guest artists should take note of an upcoming change to the O and P visa filing process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased the fees for visa petitions filed on or after November 23, 2010.

The fee for the regular I-129 petition for a nonimmigrant worker will increase from $320 to $325.

The fee for the I-907 premium processing form will increase from $1000 to $1225.

Petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after November 23, 2010 must include the new fee. To avoid delays in processing, please note the fee change and plan accordingly. USCIS will likely return any petitions that are filed with the new fee before November 23rd, or with the old fee after November 23rd. See the ArtistsfromAbroad.org site for complete details regarding all fee changes.

USCIS Repeats Promise of Speedy Processing

When the fee increase was proposed earlier this summer, individual arts-related petitioners and the national performing arts community filed comments with USCIS, urging the agency to make much needed improvements to the regular petition process and objecting to the significant increase in the already unaffordable Premium Processing fee. In their September 24 notice regarding the final fees, USCIS reiterated its recent commitment to speed up and improve the quality of regular O and P artist visa processing, with the intent that fewer petitioners would need to resort to the costly Premium Processing Service.

Monitor and Report Your Experience

While USCIS has once again confirmed its intent to process regularly-filed petitions within 14 days, please continue to file arts-related petitions as far in advance of a performance as possible, and closely monitor the level of service you receive:

If more than 14 days transpire after filing a petition through the regular process, immediately call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 800-375-5283 to initiate an inquiry into the status of your case.

Please report your experience with the petition process to the League. We will be closely monitoring trends in processing times and the information you provide will help us ensure that USCIS fulfills its promise to improve the efficiency and quality of the artist visa process.

In the wake of promised improvements by USCIS, it is more important than ever that artist visa petitioners do their part to submit complete and timely visa petitions. Visit the artistsfromabroad.org web site for guidance and contact League government affairs for assistance. Above all, remember to file your visa petition as early as possible and compile your best possible petition. We will continue to update the Artists from Abroad web site to reflect any new policy developments.

July 21, 2010

USCIS Promises Major Improvements to the Visa Process

Washington, D.C. - Senior officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) yesterday promised public stakeholders that processing times for regularly-filed artist visa petitions will not exceed 14 days. The agency also promised that significant improvements to the quality of artist visa processing will soon be underway as the agency undergoes a major effort to revise its policy and training programs for the two service centers that process the O and P visas used by artists traveling to the United States for performances.

These commitments come in response to requests from the nonprofit performing arts community and following significant intervention by leaders in the House, Senate, and the White House Domestic Policy Council. The League has been advocating for improvements in partnership with national colleagues in the Performing Arts Visa Working Group: American Federation of Musicians, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, OPERA America, Performing Arts Alliance, and Theatre Communications Group, and the full range of national arts organizations co-sponsoring annual Arts Advocacy Day policy requests.

14-Day Regular Processing Promised

According to the USCIS, both the California and Vermont visa processing centers are currently processing regularly filed O and P visa petitions (without the $1,000 Premium Processing fee) within an average of 14 days. Since 2001, regular processing times have varied wildly – ranging up to 120 days for some petitions, despite a requirement in law to process O and P petitions within 14 days. USCIS now says they will strive to honor that 14-day requirement.

While this is a highly encouraging development, petitioners should continue to file visa petitions as early as possible and carefully track the processing times for their petitions. If processing times exceed 14 days, petitioners are advised to contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. Given the inconsistent record of processing times, and the frequently ineffective response from the Customer Service Center, please track your visa’s processing time and report the results to the League in our new online data collector. The League and our fellow national performing arts service organizations will be closely monitoring trends in processing times and the information you provide will help us ensure that USCIS fulfills its promise.

Efforts Underway to Improve Quality of Process

In addition to streamlining processing times, USCIS says it has formed an internal performing arts visa working group and is taking immediate steps to address the spike in erroneous visa denials and requests for evidence received by U.S. arts organizations over the past year.

New Policy Supports Complete Itinerary Approvals Yesterday USCIS released a final policy memorandum advising visa processing centers to approve O petitions for the length of the validity period requested where the law and regulations permit, and clarified that there is no policy limiting the allowable gap between engagements in an itinerary. The memo reverses an informal policy adopted by the two processing centers that limited the allowable gap between engagements to 45 days. The nonprofit performing arts community is pleased with this positive development and has requested that the policy formally be applied to P petitions.

RFE Project to Improve Visa Response In response to voluminous cases of erroneous visa denials and requests for evidence, the USCIS is revising the training and templates used in adjudicating O and P visa petitions. Draft policy documents will be posted online for public comment, and the League will inform orchestras of opportunities to weigh in.

Online Case Status Petitioners must rely on the USCIS web site for up-to-date information about the status of a visa petition in progress. USCIS reports that a new and improved case status site will soon be launched.

Continued Advocacy Needed

Following years of advocacy on this issue, we are extremely pleased with this week’s breakthrough. That said, this is just one important step on the journey to consistent, reliable, and affordable arts visa processing. In partnership with the Performing Arts Visa Working Group, the League will continue to seek the promised improvements, in addition to weighing in with USCIS regarding the recently proposed fee increase, evidence requirements for O and P visas, and needed improvements to accessing emergency visa processing. Your examples of visa challenges are essential as we continue to communicate with USCIS headquarters. Report visa problems to the League as soon as you encounter them.

Prepare Perfect Petitions

In the wake of promised improvements by USCIS, it is more important than ever that artist visa petitioners do their part to submit complete and timely visa petitions. Visit the artistsfromabroad.org web site for guidance and contact League government affairs for assistance. Above all, remember to file your visa petition as early as possible. The promise of 14-day processing is encouraging, but not a guarantee – unexpected disruptions could put your performance in jeopardy. File early and compile your best possible petition. We will continue to update the Artists from Abroad web site to reflect any new policy developments.

July 15, 2010

Ask USCIS to Improve the Visa Process!

Orchestras experiencing difficulty obtaining artist visas have a new opportunity to weigh in with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as the agency proposes an across-the-board fee increase. The USCIS proposes a $5 increase in the fee for the regular I-129 visa processing form (which would bring the fee to $325), and a $225 increase in the Premium Processing fee (bringing the total fee to $1,225). The performing arts community is urging USCIS to immediately make long-overdue improvements to the regular artist visa process and to refrain from increasing the already-unaffordable Premium Processing fee. Comments to USCIS are due by July 26. The League will submit detailed comments on behalf of orchestras, in collaboration with our national colleagues in the Performing Arts Visa Working Group: American Federation of Musicians, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, OPERA America, Performing Arts Alliance, and Theatre Communications Group.

Please note: Until the USCIS issues a final rule regarding the proposed fee change, the filing fee for the I-129 form remains $320 and the fee for Premium Processing Service remains $1,000. We will inform you immediately when and if fee changes are made. In the meantime, do not adjust the fees that accompany your petition, as overpayment will result in serious delays.

Sample Message to Personalize

If your orchestra has recently encountered a visa challenge, please participate in the USCIS comment process. We have prepared sample comments that should be personalized with details of your orchestra's experience, along with some background information you may find helpful. Personalizing your message is extremely important. Each comment is read and documented by the agency, and "cookie cutter" messages have less impact than those including specific details. Remember to include the first line noting the DHS docket number!

Re: DHS Docket No. USCIS–2009–0033

The following comments are in response to the proposed rule to adjust the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigration and naturalization benefit application and petition fee schedule.

We call upon USCIS to make immediate and long-overdue improvements to the regular visa process, including meeting the current 14-day statutory requirement for processing times of regularly-filed O and P petitions, and improving the quality of petition adjudication. Any increase in the regular processing fee must be accompanied by these improvements.

USCIS failure to make improvements in the regular petition process has resulted in delays and unwarranted requests for evidence or denials, which force some orchestras to pay the $1,000 Premium Processing Service (PPS) fee. This $1,000 fee is already unaffordable, therefore we oppose the USCIS proposal to increase the PPS fee to $1,225. Given the harmful inefficiencies of the regular petition process, this increase in Premium Processing would impose an extreme burden on nonprofit orchestra petitioners.

By inviting foreign musicians to perform, orchestras provide American audiences the opportunity to experience a diversity of musical talent and encourage a supportive climate for U.S. orchestras to perform abroad. Arts organizations in every area of the country must rely on the U.S. visa process to be affordable, reliable, and efficient.

How to Submit Comments

Comments may be filed by the July 26 deadline through the federal government's regulation web portal. Visit http://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments and double-check that comments are in response to "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee Schedule."

May 14, 2010

USCIS Invites Feedback Regarding Artist Visas

In response to concerns expressed by the League and the broader national performing arts community, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opened a public comment period on one aspect of artist visa process: the amount of time allowable between multiple engagements in a single visa approval period. The League, in partnership with our national performing arts sector colleagues, will submit detailed comments to USCIS. We encourage you to consider submitting comments on behalf of your orchestra to give greater voice to the concerns about the artist visa process. We've drafted sample talking points that may be modified to include details about your orchestra's experience with the visa process. Comments must be received by USCIS by May 24, 2010.

We know that challenges with the artist visa process abound. That's why the League and our national partners have been in close communication with top officials at the White House, in Congress, and at USCIS to call for immediate improvements.

The draft policy memo under consideration by USCIS responds to our requests earlier this year, in which we asked USCIS to not limit allowable gaps between performances by a specific number of days, and in which we called for an open public comment process to fully discuss the issue.

On May 13, 2010, senior officials from the White House, USCIS, and the Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities joined us in a dialogue about artist visa concerns.

Visa Problem? Help Us Help You

If your orchestra receives an unusual request for evidence, or your visa petition is denied, please contact the League as soon as possible. Your specific case examples are essential to improving artist visa policies - and we can also help you navigate a crisis. We need to hear from you as early as possible to be of help.

Unified Advocacy Continues

The League's efforts to improve the visa process for guest artists are conducted in close collaboration with our advocacy partners in the Performing Arts Visa Working Group: American Federation of Musicians, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, OPERA America, Performing Arts Alliance, and Theatre Communications Group, and under the guidance of immigration attorney and www.artistsfromabroad.org author Jonathan Ginsburg. In addition to representing orchestras before USCIS and the White House, we continue to work with Congress to seek a legislative remedy to improve the reliability and efficiency of visa processing. This issue was also included as an advocacy priority during national Arts Advocacy Day, endorsed by dozens of national arts organizations.

December 16, 2009

USCIS Reinstates Multi-Venue Petition Process!

Orchestras can once again file a single visa petition for artists engaged for performances at multiple venues in the United States. In response to concerns expressed by the League and the broader national performing arts community, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reinstated the ability of a petitioner to file a single petition for artists coming to the U.S. for an itinerary of events with multiple arts organizations. Over the past two months, the League and our coalition partners communicated with top officials at USCIS, on the Hill, and in the White House to urge a return to this practice, which is more efficient and affordable than submitting multiple visa requests for a single itinerary of performance events.

In October, USCIS issued a memo revoking the ability of a U.S.-based employer to file a single petition for artists coming to the U.S. for an itinerary of events with multiple arts organizations - unless the petitioner is “in business as an agent.” A November 20, 2009 memo now directs the USCIS service centers to accept multi-venue petitions filed by organizations that act as an agent only for the purpose of submitting a visa petition.

When seeking visa approval for an itinerary involving multiple employers or venues, the petitioner does not have to demonstrate that it normally serves as “an agent” outside of the petition process. Instead, USCIS indicates that petitioners can include a statement, signed by the various venues or employers, establishing that the petitioner is authorized to act as agent for the limited purpose of filing the petition with USCIS. We’ve posted on the Artists from Abroad website a sample form that petitioners should consider including when applying for a single visa approval on behalf of multiple venues or employers.

If an artist plans to travel to the U.S. for multiple engagements, and a single U.S. organization is submitting the visa petition, the entire petition must be carefully assembled to satisfy all USCIS requirements. Since the November memo was issued, we’ve been in communication with USCIS to seek further clarity on the petition requirements. Additional updated guidance is now available on the Artists from Abroad website, prepared under the advisement of attorney Jonathan Ginsburg of FTM Arts Law.

October 14, 2009

Important Update! New USCIS Rules for Shared Visa Petitions

Multiple orchestras engaging the same foreign guest artist to perform in the U.S. frequently work together to submit a single visa petition that will cover all engagements. Overturning nearly 20 years of this practice, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new policies revoking the ability of a U.S.-based employer to file a single petition for artists coming to the U.S. for an itinerary of events with multiple arts organizations - unless the petitioner is in business as an agent.

If an artist plans to travel to the U.S. for multiple engagements, and the petitioning U.S. organization IS NOT in business as an agent, each U.S. employer must file a separate visa petition. If timing permits, consider encouraging the guest artist to await the approval of all petitions - or at least those petitions encompassing the beginning and end of the requested classification period - before visiting a U.S. consulate to process the visa. By presenting all approval notices at once (or at least the beginning and ending ones), the artist may avoid the need for multiple consular visits, interviews, and accompanying fees.

If an artist plans to travel to the U.S. for multiple engagements, and the petitioning U.S. organization IS in business as an agent, the petition must be carefully assembled to satisfy new USCIS requirements. While it is not clear what documentation is needed to prove that the petitioner is "in business as an agent," we suggest that the agent include a signed Appointment of Agent Form.

USCIS warns that multiple-employer petitions filed by any petitioner not in business as an agent will be approved only for the period of time covering the petitioner's direct employment of the artist. Follow the new guidance we've posted on www.artistsfromabroad.org to prevent petition rejections or time-consuming re-filing for engagements not included in a petition approval. Learn More About Who Can Serve as a Petitioner

Support League Efforts to Reverse this Policy

The League is working with partners in the national performing arts community to reverse this detrimental, costly, and unjustified policy shift by USCIS. We ask that you please contact the League's Washington, D.C. office and keep us informed of the impact of this policy on your orchestra, whether it results in increasing costs, changes in scheduling, or any other kind of difficulty you may encounter. Inform the League About Your Visa Experience

File Early! Recent developments at USCIS, the federal agency that processes artist visa petitions, are causing delays. USCIS is responding to many well-assembled visa petitions with unusual and time consuming requests for additional evidence. Also, contradicting current regulations and previously-approved practice, USCIS has recently rejected some "multiple venue" petitions, in which a single orchestra applies for a visa on behalf of multiple orchestras engaging the same the artist.

Filing your petition as soon as an artist is confirmed can provide the necessary cushion to help absorb unexpected USCIS delays. USCIS will accept visa petitions filed up to one year in advance of a performance. Find more details on the Artists from Abroad web site.

Help Us Help You If your orchestra receives an unusual request for evidence, or is denied the opportunity to file a multiple venue petition, please let us know. Your specific case examples are essential to improving artist visa policies

May 1, 2009

Artist Visa Act Reintroduced

Relief may be on the way for orchestras and other performing arts organizations continuing to encounter significant delays and unpredictability when applying for visas for foreign guest artists. On March 31, Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and eight other bipartisan co-sponsors reintroduced the Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) Act, which would streamline the artist visa process. The League, in partnership with our national partners in the Performing Arts Alliance and the American Federation of Musicians, is again seeking passage of the bill. The ARTS Act passed in the House in 2008, but did not clear the Senate before year's end. The League's D.C. office will alert you of strategic moments when your advocacy is needed on this issue. In the meantime, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
to share your examples of visa concerns or to seek help in navigating the visa process.

September 30, 2008

Clarification on Accountable Plan Rules!

The League has recently obtained important clarification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding expense payments for foreign guest artists. As you likely know, published and verbal guidance from the IRS has been confusing and contradictory on the question of whether expense reimbursements and payments made to third parties on behalf of foreign artists are subject to withholding. Previous guidance from the IRS - including guidance provided during League-hosted webinars and sessions this past summer - has indicated that these payments are subject to withholding. The newest word from the IRS, however, indicates otherwise.

The most recent verbal guidance from the IRS, as well as the IRS’s written guidance, indicates that the "accountable plan rules" are applicable to nonresident aliens working as independent contractors in the United States. In effect, an expense reimbursement made to a foreign artist in accordance with these rules is not reportable as income – and is not subject to 30% withholding. The accountable plan rules also apply to expenses paid to third parties on the artist’s behalf (e.g., hotel accommodations and/or travel paid for or provided by a presenter). Learn more about the rules - and exceptions - in our updated guidance regarding payments subject to withholding on the Artists from Abroad web site.

July 15, 2008

Steer Clear of IRA Penalties If your orchestra engages musicians from abroad, it's important to know that the tax rules are very different than the usual procedures for U.S. musicians. To help orchestras avoid IRS penalties, the League offered two webinars on this topic in May and continues to provide online technical assistance. Visit Artists from Abroad and check out the tax section for updated guidance and links to all of the forms needed to comply with IRS rules.

April 1, 2008

Artist Visa Act Passes in the House!

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to improve the artist visa process! The "Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) Act", H.R. 1312, is sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and 12 other bipartisan leaders, and would improve the reliability, efficiency, and affordability of the artist visa process by requiring USCIS to treat as a Premium Processing case, free of additional charge, any arts-related O and P visa petition that it fails to process within 30 days.

Before the ARTS Act can be signed into law, it must next be approved in the Senate. The House bill will soon move to the Senate for consideration, where the groundwork for support has already been set by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) who introduced a similar provision, S. 2178. The League will continue working closely with the Senate to advance this measure and bolster support as the bill heads toward a vote. Congratulations! Your advocacy has advanced this issue through the House!

November 8, 2007

Congress Acts to Improve Visa Process

Advocacy by the nonprofit performing arts sector, including recent targeted advocacy efforts by orchestras, is producing results on the Hill.

Yesterday, legislation to improve the visa process for artists was approved by the House Judiciary commitee. The "Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) Act", sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and 10 other bipartisan congressional leaders, would make the artist visa process more reliable, efficient, and affordable for nonprofit arts-related petitioners.

In yesterday's House committee action, amendments that would have drastically limited the effectiveness of the ARTS Act were defeated and the Act was approved for consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives.

An identical provision, S. 2178, has been introduced by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT). As Congress finishes its work for 2007, the League and our colleagues in the Performing Arts Visa Task Force will continue to advance these improvements to the visa process. We will keep you posted regarding specific, strategic advocacy opportunities!

In late September, the League met with top officials at the processing unit in California - one of two locations that processes all arts-related visa petitions -to describe the visa obstacles encountered by orchestras and gain insights into the petition process.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials were welcoming, listened to the concerns of arts petitioners, and provided helpful information about the current visa process. The California processing center alone receives nearly 60,000 petitions each month for a wide array of visa classifcations for workers and visitors traveling to the United States. Simply getting an artist's petition through the mailroom can be a significant challenge.

We've updated the ArtistsfromAbroad.org web site to reflect new tips that can help your visa petition makes its way more quickly and reliably.

Foreign artists are subject to specific tax withholding rules. The IRS has recently announced plans to beef up enforcement of these withholding requirements. According to an IRS official, "The bottom line is the IRS is concerned that foreign athletes and entertainers pay their fair share of withholding tax and do the proper reporting for earnings in the United States."

To be sure your orchestra is familiar with the tax requirements for foreign guest artists, please consult the tax section of the Artists from Abroad web site.

As the IRS considers creating new guidance and outreach regarding foreign artist withholding, the League and our national partners are conveying the unique concerns of the nonprofit performing arts community.